Manston truck trial will need to be repeated, says RHA

The Kent truck trial at Manston Airport on January 7, 2019, part of the county’s Operation Brock contingency plan in the event of hold ups at the port of Dover has been a success in as much as approximately 80 HGVs trucks now know what to do in the event of lengthy, local traffic queues between Manston and Dover.

Commenting, RHA chief executive Richard Burnett said: “Of course it’s good to have a plan in place but today’s limited scope trial will need to be repeated to stress-test other aspects of the management of thousands of lorries properly.

“Today’s trial cannot possibly duplicate the reality of 4,000 trucks being held at Manston airport in the event of a no-deal Brexit.

“It’s too little too late – this process should have started 9 months ago. At this late stage it looks like window dressing.”